If you have narrowed your shortlist to two specific designs, this is exactly the kind of decision where a side-by-side spec view saves a weekend of second-guessing. Both plans below are complete, code-aware DIY builds, but they differ on the things that matter for a backyard project — total cost, raw labor hours, footprint, and the wood species on the cut list.
Side-by-side specs
| 4x6 ft Bench-Built Arbor Plan | 4x4 ft Pergola Archway Arbor Plan | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Arbors | Arbors |
| Style | Bench-Built | Pergola Archway |
| Footprint | 4x6 ft (24 sq ft) | 4x4 ft (16 sq ft) |
| Wood species | Western Red Cedar | Western Red Cedar |
| Roof finish | asphalt architectural shingles | tongue-and-groove cedar planks |
| Difficulty | Intermediate | Beginner |
| Build time | ~52 hrs | ~22 hrs |
| Materials cost | $400–$625 | $250–$400 |
| Footing depth | 36″ × 2 posts | 36″ × 2 posts |
| Concrete | 4 × 60-lb bags | 4 × 60-lb bags |
| Cut-list items | 5 | 5 |
| Build steps | 9 | 9 |
Cost & budget
The 4x6 ft Bench-Built Arbor Plan lands in the $400–$625 range for materials in Western Red Cedar, while the 4x4 ft Pergola Archway Arbor Plan runs $250–$400 in Western Red Cedar. The second plan is approximately 54% more expensive at typical 2026 lumber-yard pricing — driven mostly by the choice of Western Red Cedar over Western Red Cedar and the difference in cubic concrete volume between 2 and 2 footings.
Labor & difficulty
At ~52 hours, the 4x6 ft Bench-Built Arbor Plan is rated Intermediate. The 4x4 ft Pergola Archway Arbor Plan takes ~22 hours and is rated Beginner. The labor delta is roughly 30 hours, or one extra working day on the 4x6 ft Bench-Built Arbor Plan. If you are newer to outdoor woodworking, the 4x4 ft Pergola Archway Arbor Plan is the safer pick — it uses simpler joinery and fewer compound cuts.
Footprint & site fit
At 24 sq ft vs 16 sq ft, you are choosing between a focal-point garden structure and a focal-point garden structure. Allow at least 24 inches of clearance on every side for furniture and walking paths — that means the 4x6 ft Bench-Built Arbor Plan needs a clear area of approximately 8×10 ft and the 4x4 ft Pergola Archway Arbor Plan needs 8×8 ft.
Material & durability
The 4x6 ft Bench-Built Arbor Plan is built from Western Red Cedar, while the 4x4 ft Pergola Archway Arbor Plan calls for Western Red Cedar. Both plans share the same species, so you can buy from a single lumber order if you build them in sequence — a common move for homeowners adding both a primary structure and a complementary screen or arbor.
Verdict
For a builder weighing these two specifically, 4x4 ft Pergola Archway Arbor Plan is the faster build. If both fit your budget and yard, default to the design whose style language matches the rest of your house — a Craftsman bungalow looks awkward beside a modern slatted pergola, and vice versa.
Read each plan in full before committing: the complete 4x6 ft Bench-Built Arbor Plan page and the complete 4x4 ft Pergola Archway Arbor Plan page. Both ship with full cut lists, hardware schedules, footing specs, and step-by-step build instructions.